Is COVID-19 a sign we need to change our mindset?
In a word, absolutely!
Stop and take a second to think. What happens to your mindset when you start reading or talking about all the negative stories? Sickness, death, lost income, panic and empty shelves at the grocery store? And what happens when you think about the kind neighbor that puts a sign in the elevator asking if anyone needs help or the kind person at the grocery store that says hello and shares a smile?
If you are like me, you had a scowl on your face with the first sentence and a smile on your face with the second. Look how easily our mindset and mood are impacted. And as our mindset shifts, so does our physiology, all the way to our immune system.
It’s not just the health of your body, it’s your mindset too
Remember your mental health and mindset have a great impact on your immune system and how physically healthy you will be in the midst of dealing with the coronavirus. So, while you are busy washing your hands to the tune of happy birthday, coughing into your arm and social distancing, also take note of how you are feeling mentally.
Are you spending too much time dwelling on the news and possible outcomes that you can’t control? Is too much social distance and alone time bringing you down?
If so, maybe it’s time to choose to shift your mindset? Instead of focusing on all the things you can’t do while on quarantine or working from home, think about all the opportunity you have to do things you don’t often have time for; spend quality time with loved ones, call friends you miss speaking to (remember that thing you use to take selfies… you can still talk on it too!) Spend some time really considering your mindset and shifts you would like to make in your life for the short term and the long run.
You have so many positive options…. And if you are feeling bored, hey that’s ok too… slowing down and a little boredom is actually good for us, think of it instead about doing something nice for yourself and taking time to recharge.
We can’t change what’s happening, but we can change how we respond.
The other day I woke up early and started working, and then I went down the rabbit hole of stories about the coronavirus and some of the fallout that is impacting me personally. My productivity took a nose dive. I couldn’t focus any longer and was feeling down. (If this happens to you, remember it’s a normal reaction.) My first impulse was to sit and slog it out because I should be getting things done. I realized that was an old behavior, belief and social norm that had been instilled in me. After my short little pity party, I remembered the choice was mine; I could continue to sit at my desk and take far too long to accomplish too little, or I could do something to alter my mindset and recharge.
Is it time for a system change?
More and more I am realizing the ways so many of us have been taught to think, act and conform, are really broken. The things going on in the world right now are the universe forcing us to stop and take time to examine this. I took a few deep breaths and realized what felt right and would be most productive was not to work a standard, expected 9 to5 day, but to stop, get out into nature and take advantage of the beautiful weather.
By doing this I wasn’t slacking off (old, unhealthy belief), I was taking care of myself physically and emotionally. I had the choice to form a new belief and do something different. Imagine all the positive things that could come from each of us consciously shifting our mindset and choosing new beliefs and behaviors that better suit us and the world around us! We could actively change the systems and institutions that clearly aren’t working for us and shift the energy and raise the vibration in the world.
Be open to the signs.
Rather than just musing, it was time to get out into nature and put my thoughts into action. As I walked, my head began to clear, I felt more positive again.
I asked the universe for a sign we are going to be ok. So that I could really believe that everything from the fires, to the crazy storms, to the coronavirus has been happening for a reason; to help us wake up to the need to make necessary shifts around the globe and get us to better place.
But, no sign anywhere. I went for a swim and the ocean water soothed my soul and filled me with more hope. Mindset shift complete, I was ready to work, time to head home.
But still, no sign from the universe.
And then out of nowhere, I looked down and there it was.
It wasn’t an accident that I took this path instead of any other. In front of me (see picture above) was a combination of glorious nature and beautiful human wisdom and compassion. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Laid out in front of me on the path I took when I chose to slow down, listen, and do things a better way to honor myself, was a clear sign that said to me “if we love each other and focus on the positive and support each other, we will make positive change and raise the vibration of the world.”
That sign doesn’t erase sadness or hardship or loss of life happening now. But it symbolized the choice before us. We can choose to allow this to bring out the best or the worst in us. We can choose to be positive, to tap into our humanity and our individual intuition and belief and goodness and choose to be kind and good to ourselves and to each other. We can use this time to dig deep and think about what we individually and collectively want to do to slow down, get to know ourselves, shape our mindset and develop positive relationships, connections and community that will make us all stronger. Doing this can help us to see and discover new paths and create new systems and beliefs that allow us to thrive more than ever.
The choice is ours. Let’s do this to together… changing our mindset can change not only our world, but the world, and then, yes, we will be ok.
Sending love and compassion and offers for support if you need it. Leave a message if you’d like to join me in an online group chat to share positivity and support, or if you’d like some help shifting your mindset. xo Julie
